Recommend Single Shot Shotgun

[12many]

I don't know much about shotguns and would like to pick up a single shot. Any recommendations for under $400? I was thinking 20 gauge but could go with a 12 gauge if that would be the better route.

Thanks.

 

[doglb]

H&R!!
You can pick them up at a Dicks Sporting Goods or similar for around $100!
Cant go wrong with a H&R!!

Plus there are a nuber of options if you want synthetic stocks, forends, etc.

 

[CoRoMo]

H&R/NEF 12ga. at Wal Mart will only cost around $100 or so.

CHECK IT OUT HERE.



What would be the intended purpose of the gun?
Self/home defense, go with the 12ga.
Hunting, go with the 12ga.
Christmas present for a youth, go with the 20ga.

 

[CoRoMo]

If you are still willing to spend the $400, you can either get a better gun (higher capacity), or you could go for an H&R Combo gun. It'll come with a shotgun barrel and a rifle barrel.

CHECK THIS ONE OUT FOR $282!!!


Spend the other $100 on a scope and you're all set!!

 

[earlthegoat2]

Id get the 20 ga as recoil is horrendous in 12 ga single shot as they weigh about 4 lbs.

 

[JohnBT]

I recommend a Winchester Model 37. Not a 37A or a 370, a 37. They made over a million of them between 1936 and 1963 in 12, 20, 16, 28 (very expensive) and .410, so they aren't hard to find.

Here's a 20 ga. for $295.

www.gunsamerica.com/946767404/Guns/...Bolt-Single-Shot/Winchester_Model_37_20ga.htm

Single shots are light and will kick you in 12 or 20. My only Model 37 is a .410, but my uncle has a bunch of them.

John

 

[monkyboy1975]

Those 37s are getting a tad pricey, I've been looking at them for the past couple of years and the price has definitely went up. They are worth it though, the first shotgun I ever shot was a 37 in 16GA, it almost put that scrawny 8 year old kid on his behind. Like the others said avoid the 12 in a single, stick with the smaller gauges.

 

[notorious]

I would recommend the Remington SPR110 for a nice single shot 12 gauge for about $130 and it comes with a takedown feature that the H&R does not have for handy storage. The Remington also has a very nice wood stock finish which the H&R hardwood cannot match.

I have the H&R Pardner single shot but that's before I saw the Remington. It saved me $10 but I spent that and more on a Hi-Viz sight and stock shell holder. Plus, it is not a takedown model.

Oh, remember one thing, these guns are way lighter than a pump or auto so the kick is way more substantial. My H&R does not have a recoil pad and after 25 shots of trap, my shoulders couldn't take anymore. I added a slip-on recoil pad for $15 on top of all that too.

If you got $400, I would recommend a good Remington 870 pump for $300 and be done with it or go with the Mossberg combo for $250 with the 28" field barrel and the 18.5" home defense barrel.

 

[fireman 9731]

NEFs are nice, fun, handy guns...

and heck, you could get 4 of them for $400!

 

[Gunner4h1r3]

I have a Stevens Single Gun in 20 gauge and a H&R Topper 158 in .410 gauge. Both guns were made waaaaaaaaay back in the day. Both are in great shape with a smooth action and shiny bores.

I wouldn't go with a single in 12 gauge, like the others have said before, they kick like an SOB.

20 gauge isn't too bad and .410 is a breeze. Just depends what you are looking for and what the purpose is.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Hey, there's a lot of experience @ THR...

You admit not knowing much about shotguns. All guns have a primary objective or mission. Describe what your purpose for a shotgun is, and why you think a single is what you want. You may be quite surprised at the responses of what might fit your purpose best.

My 14 year old son loves his Rossi 20ga for Grouse. That's with #7shot. I don't think he'd feel the same if he shot it with some Buck shot or dare even a slug.

-Steve

 

[BHP FAN]

H&R/NEF 12 ga.If one uses Winchester target loads they don't kick at all.They are low noise/low recoil.They kick LESS than a 20 ga.,when the proper loads are used.they can also be more powerfull with other loads.There's a LOT more factory loads made for 12 ga.Of course,my point is moot if you load your own.

 

[sbarkowski]

I too have been looking for a single shot. I am unfamilar with all the brands available. Nice wood and an ejector are a must. Interchangeable chokes would be a bonus but not necessary.

Edit: I'd like it for grouse, there nice and light and easy to carry on long walks.

 

[ArmedBear]

Ithaca 5E would be my choice.

WRT 20 vs. 12, what do you want to do with it?

I have an old Ithaca 66 in 20, and it's fun to shoot. Single-shot 12's (except for guns like the old 9 lb. Ithaca 5E, of course) are not fun to shoot, and I'm not sure what they're really good for other than to carry as a truck gun just in case you might want to take a shot or two.

 

[ctgmi]

Here's another vote for a H&R and as stated above go with a 20 gauge.

 

[huntsman]

I too have been looking for a single shot. I am unfamilar with all the brands available. Nice wood and an ejector are a must. Interchangeable chokes would be a bonus but not necessary.

Edit: I'd like it for grouse, there nice and light and easy to carry on long walks.

I used the Winchester md37 a twenty and a sixteen. The only downfall is they're choked tight for grouse; I paid $135.00 in 98 for the 16 gauge.

 

[MCgunner]

I've got a 10 gauge H&R that doesn't kick as bad as the 12s. It is about 3 lbs or more heavier than the 12, weighs 9+ lbs. It's a solid gun, though. Also, they sell the single shot Remington Spartans at Walmart for right at 100 bucks. I have a spartan double I really like as a bird gun, rugged, well built gun, light and quick pointing.

 

[12many]

THanks everyone for your helpful input. I will look at some of the ones you recommend.

Merry Christmas.

 

[notorious]

Barkowski, if you want a nice wood finish, then definitely go with the Remington. The H&R is nice but it's still hardwood and cannot match the dark lustre and finish of the Remington. I so regret it now... for the $10 difference. No disrespect on the H&R gun but if I knew of the Remington, I would've gone with that.

 

[sbarkowski]

Yes I just finished looking at the website. The one's with the nickel are nice. Has ejectors and chokes plus the price is pretty good too. I'll have to check them out when I get the chance. Thanks for the input.